Mahadevi

CHINA; Ming dynasty

Mahadevi is also known as Palden Lhamo in Tibetan. The figure sits on a mule, brandishing a sword in her upper right hand and a trident in the left hand. The lower hands grasp a noose and a skull cup filled with human organs. A red usnisa bulges behind the five-skull crown. Below the usnisa, a staring third eye matches the other two as Mahadevi devours a human corpse. The posture of the corpse echoes that of the flayed skin on which the figure is seated, its hands tied together behind the mule’s tail to hold it in position. Mahadevi’s body jewelry is supplemented by a garland of severed heads. The figure sits in the relaxation posture but with legs chained together.
The animated mule on which Mahadevi rides has a flaming red mane and tail, with an open eye near the latter. It is led by an animal-headed stable boy with a skull garland, looking back at the goddess and with bared fangs. The oval base represents a rocky path and is balanced on a lotus. The statue shows strong Tibetan influence although the Chinese characters below dates it to the rule of Emperor Yongle (reigned 1402–1424) of the Ming dynasty.